Wednesday, 8 August 2018

Thursday, August 9, 2018 - If Jesus were to ask you the question he asked the disciples, what would your response be?

The
phrase “from that time Jesus began” is found twice in the Gospel of Matthew
once in 4:17 and the second time in 16:21. The latter verse is part of our text
for today. Some divide the Gospel into three parts, taking this phrase as the
one which points to this division. In this division, the first part is from 1:1
– 4:16, the second from 4:17 – 16:20 and the third from 16:21 – 28:20.

Our text
for today, however includes an earlier pericope termed usually as “Peter’s
Confession” (16:13-20). The question of Jesus concerning his identity is not
because he wanted to be informed about people’s opinion of him, but to draw a
contrast between people’s answers and the answer of the disciples.

Matthew is
the only evangelist who adds Jeremiah to the answers of the people. Some think
that Matthew has done so because of Jeremiah’s association with the fall of
Jerusalem. Others think that Jeremiah is mentioned because of his prophecy of
the new covenant. After hearing through the disciples what the people have to
say about his identity, Jesus asks the disciples the same question. The “you”
is plural and therefore addressed to all disciples. It is also emphatic. Simon
Peter answers on behalf of the group. Matthew adds “the Son of the living God”
to Mark’s “Christ”. Only in Matthew does Jesus respond directly to Peter. Peter
is not blessed because of a personal achievement, but because of the gift he
received from God. Jesus names Peter as rock, the one who holds the keys and
the one who binds and looses. Rock here stands for foundation, and though Peter
is the foundation, Jesus is the builder. The holder of keys was one who had
authority to teach and the one who binds and looses is the one who had
authority to interpret authoritatively.

The reason for ordering them to tell no
one is to reinforce the idea that the community founded by Jesus is distinct
from Israel who rejected Jesus.

The
second part of the text, is the first of the three (some see Mt 26:2 as a
fourth passion and resurrection prediction) passion and resurrection
predictions. Peter’s response to this is to “rebuke” Jesus. However, in
Matthew, Peter’s response is not as harsh as in Mark because of the use of
“Lord” by Peter. Jesus’ counter response to Peter is not as harsh as in Mark,
because Jesus does not in turn “rebuke” Peter. Instead, in Matthew, Jesus calls
Peter to a newer and deeper understanding of the meaning of discipleship.
Peter’s understanding is still on the human level, Jesus invites him to go
beyond and further.

Many of
us would like to see God as someone who can do all things and be always in
control of every situation. However, our God as revealed in Jesus is a God who
lets go of not only his divinity but also his humanity. He becomes totally
selfless and disponable, at the service of the whole of humanity. If we are to
imitate such a God and be disciples of his son, we need to do the same.

About Me

There are four maxims I try to live by. The first is to ALWAYS have CHOICES about everything. The more choices I have, the less the chances of my being disappointed.
The Second is that I try to see my REWARD in the doing of the action itself. I will expect nothing from anyone in return and even expect the very ones I have helped to be ungrateful. It does not matter. I do not mind.
The third is that every stage in my life I try to KNOW where my authority ends. This saves a lot of bother. I am not the General Manager of the Universe. I do what I have to do and leave the rest to God.
The fourth is a readiness to face the consequences of my action. When I make a gaffe I am willing to rectify it and apologize. However, if it cannot be rectified I am ready to face the penalty.